Winter Seminars at Union College
Union College’s Environmental Science, Policy & Engineering Program has announced its ESPE Winter Seminar Series for 2025. The series, with the theme “Climate Solutions,” will consist of three evening speaker events in February:
- Feb 3: Bob Inglis (Topic: Communicating climate change across the political spectrum)
- Feb 10: Lissa Harris (Topic: Climate resiliency)
- Feb 24: Oksan Bayulgen (Topic: Clean energy transitions)
All of the talks will begin at 6 p.m. in the Nott Memorial Chapel.
Upcoming events at John Boyd Thacher State Park
February 4 – Volunteer Training
Salamander crossing: This event will assist amphibians crossing the road during their annual migration to their vernal pools. This will involve an initial training hybrid on February 4, 2025 from 6:30-7:30 PM in person at the Emma Treadwell Nature Center or virtually via Webex. The actual crossing event doesn’t have a set date due to environmental factors, emails, calls, or text will go out the day before giving volunteers the meeting location/time of the events. Volunteers should call (518) 872-0800 or email the volunteer coordinator at [email protected] to register for training.
March 8 – Volunteer Training
Nest watch: This is a good opportunity for the local community to get involved with civic science. Data collected goes to the Cornell lab of ornithology. Individuals and groups can sign for shifts to help Nature Center staff monitor for nesting migratory birds. Young children can participate but will require adult supervision. An initial training will be held on Saturday March 8th from 1pm-3pm to orient volunteers to the data collection process and help prepare the nest boxes for the arriving migrating birds. The event will be held at the Emma Treadwell Nature Center (87 Nature Center Way, Voorheesville, NY 12186). Volunteering would involve a commitment of motoring designated nesting sites and taking observation records. Volunteers will go out with designated park staff to help with monitoring until they feel comfortable with data collection procedures and work independently. Volunteers should call (518) 872-0800 or email the volunteer coordinator at [email protected] to register for training.
April 12 – Volunteer Training
Introduced plant species removal. Initial training date 4/12/2025 with the assistance from the Natural Resource Department. Introduced plant species removal will be part of the “Pitch in for Parks!” series running from 3/15/2025-10/25/2025.